Job rejections are a painful – and often unavoidable – part of the job search process. At one point or another, we will all experience the letdown of being passed over for a job opportunity that we felt confident about receiving. These experiences are certainly frustrating, and it’s all too easy to take them personally.
Still, a job rejection does not need to be an entirely negative experience. In its own unique way, each one has the potential to teach us valuable lessons about what could be improved in our personal job application and interview processes. The experience of a job rejection can also provide valuable insights surrounding the sorts of workplace culture that we’re seeking and what we should avoid.
Three Important Things to Keep in Mind After a Job Rejection
The key to bouncing back after a disappointing job rejection is to frame things appropriately. Sure, you didn’t get the job. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t better opportunities waiting for you down the road. By taking the time to pause, breathe, and reflect after a job rejection, you’ll have a much easier time moving on, with confidence, into the future.
With that in mind, here are three tips to help you get back on your feet and back out into the job market after a job rejection:
- Send a polite and brief request for feedback to the hiring manager. It’s not uncommon for candidates who have been denied a job opportunity to follow up with a hiring manager and request a bit of feedback regarding why they were rejected. That said, hiring managers typically have fairly limited bandwidth, so you shouldn’t assume they will respond quickly (if at all). Here, your best bet is to send them a courteous note asking them whether they might have some specific points of feedback about why you were ultimately not selected for the role. In turn, these insights can be usefully applied as you prepare to submit your next job application.
- Remember: Finding the right “culture fit” is essential. It’s easy to start imagining that a job opportunity that looks great on paper will be your “dream job,” and that you shouldn’t settle for anything else. More often than not, however, the job description that you read online or on a company website only tells you about a fraction of what it would actually be like to work at a given workplace. If you were not chosen for a job, that’s a reliable indicator that there would not have been a strong match between your personality and the workplace culture of that particular employer. You’re better off looking elsewhere!
- Consider partnering with a staffing agency to get connected with more job opportunities. Embarking on the job search alone can be an isolating and intimidating experience, particularly if you’ve been encountering a long series of job rejections. Luckily, you don’t need to navigate these challenges on your own. When you enlist the help of a professional staffing agency, you’ll gain access to a huge network of job opportunities in your area that are well-suited to your individual skills, background, and career goals.
Start Connecting with Top Employers Today
Are you ready to eliminate the hassle from the job search process and to start finding ideal job opportunities near you? If so, the professional recruiters at Tri-Starr Group can help! Contact us today to learn more about our professional services and how we can help simplify your job search.
